16 minute read
Measles: It’s a clean sheep for South Island
16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 22, 2022 News Measles: It’s a clean sheep for South Island
Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz
THE South Island is ahead of the North Island when it comes to controlling sheep measles as New Zealand bids for “clean sheep” status.
In the latest data released from the Ovis Management programme, farmers in the south are achieving better results controlling Taenai ovis (sheep measles) with most South Island districts recording low proportions of affected carcases.
Meat processors’ data from October 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 show the Southland region heading the compliance ladder with one of the country’s lowest occurrences of sheep measles identified in carcases, despite it sending the highest number of animals for processing.
Of 1,919,242 sheep processed in the region from 1510 farms, just 1884 (0.1%) of carcasses were found to be affected.
Buller and Westport had no affected carcases after processing just over 13,000 sheep in total.
The highest number of sheep processed in a North Island area for that period was from the Gisborne district with 694,266 livestock from 431 farms, of which 5355 (0.8%) of carcases were affected.
Opotiki, at 1.7%, recorded the second highest proportion of sheep measles nationally, followed by the Kapiti Coast at 1.1%.
The Chathams recorded the highest incidence at 7.5%, with 10 infected carcases from 134 sheep off just one farm.
Whakatane, at 0.9%, and Otorohanga and Auckland, both on 0.8%, were also among areas with higher proportions of affected stock.
Some neighbouring districts recorded significantly different results, despite similar processing numbers.
Hastings-Napier had 669,499 sheep processed from 446 farms with 4451 (0.7%) of carcases affected, while Central Hawke’s Bay processed 653,279 sheep from 462 farms with 2813 (0.4%) affected.
Marlborough and Kaikoura recorded the highest incidence rates for the South Island.
In Marlborough 56,716 sheep were processed from 242 farms, with 1396 (0.9%) affected, while Kaikoura recorded 1% affected.
In neighbouring Tasman, 146,437 sheep were processed from 241 farms, with only 332 carcases (0.2%) affected.
In Canterbury, Ashburton recorded an incidence of 0.4%, Selwyn 0.5%, Timaru, Mackenzie and Waitaki 0.2%, Waimate 0.3%, and, further south, Central Otago recorded 0.3%.
Ovis or sheep measles is caused by the T ovis tapeworm, and while it poses no risk to human health it can cause blemishes in sheep meat, which is undesirable for domestic consumers and certainly for the export market.
The programme works to promote the control of T ovis through communication and collaboration and raising awareness of the importance of all dog owners regularly treating their dogs for the tapeworm.
Ovis Management project manager Michelle Simpson said controlling sheep measles is important for the primary sector.
While NZ currently has relatively low levels of sheep measles, an outbreak can result in downgrading or condemnation of otherwise healthy animals.
Only 20% of Ovis-affected carcases are detected during meat inspection at processing plants, therefore the higher the prevalence rate, the higher the risk of meat from affected animals reaching the market, Simpson said.
“It costs farmers and processors a lot of money due to condemned stock and one concern with Ovis is that if a farmer is not the one sending their lambs for processing, they may not know that they are passing the problem on.”
Simpson said the data demonstrates that sheep measles can be controlled when farmers take the simple step of regularly treating their dogs for the Taenia tapeworm.
Dogs can become infected by eating untreated meat or offal that is infected with live cysts.
T ovis is then spread to sheep through tapeworm eggs in dog faeces left in grazing areas.
Eggs can also be spread from dog faeces over large areas, predominantly by flies.
“Best practice for dog health and sheep measles prevention is for all farm dogs to be treated monthly with cestocidal [tapeworm] drugs containing the ingredient praziquantel, a cheap and effective treatment, and an All Wormer every three months.”
Simpson said all dog owners, such as hunters or farm visitors who take their dogs near farmland or where sheep graze, should also dose their dogs every month because the tapeworm has a 35-day life cycle and dosing three-monthly is not enough to stop the parasite from spreading.
As part of their on-farm biosecurity plan, sheep farmers should make this a condition of entry for all visitors bringing dogs onto the property.
While NZ currently has relatively low levels of sheep measles, an outbreak can cause a lot of damage in otherwise healthy stock.
Many other countries have much less-effective sheep measles management and this creates an opportunity for NZ’s “clean sheep” to be seen as superior by the consumer, Simpson said.
Michelle Simpson Ovis Management
National lamb Sheep Measles prevalence for period 01/10/2021 - 30/06/2022: 0.41%
ADVANTAGE: Ovis Management programme manager Michelle Simpson says many countries have much less-effective sheep measles management and this creates an opportunity for NZ’s ‘clean sheep’ to be seen as superior by the consumer.
MORE:
For more information or to view the T ovis prevalence map showing data for all regions go to: www.sheepmeasles.co.nz
Māori hort project to unlock ‘Northland bounty’
Staff reporter
THE government is investing $975,000 in an large-scale horticulture project led by Northland’s Tupuānuku Collective.
Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor said Northland’s potential to grow food is substantial.
“Our investment will enable landowners to get on-the-ground support to identify the best crops to grow in their district and to assess the availability of water for irrigation,” he said.
The collective is made up of representatives from 13 whānau, hapū and iwi landowners covering more than 35,000ha from the Far North down to the Kaipara district.
Contractors will investigate water accessibility and storage, map soil types and support the collective’s members when it comes to lodging consents and attracting investment.
“Accessing water and building the necessary infrastructure, such as dams, will play a vital role in lifting the productivity of this whenua, especially as our climate changes,” O’Connor said.
“A key part of the two-year project’s mahi will be to deliver a workforce capability development strategy to support the creation of new jobs.”
The minister said in 2020, horticulture was worth $386 million to the Northland region, with kiwifruit and avocados the largest revenue and export earners.
The funding is part of the government and sector’s Fit for a Better World roadmap, which aims for food and fibre sector exports to earn an extra $44 billion over 10 years.
The Tupuānuku Collective was formed with the support of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Māori Agribusiness Extension (MABx) programme.
“Since 2019, MPI’s Māori Agribusiness team has partnered with Māori agribusiness clusters across the motu, helping Māori landowners access support and expertise. This has resulted in more than 30 approved whenua development proposals,” O’Connor said.
The Ministry of Social Development is also supporting the project by helping to determine workforce requirements and the training needed to provide year-round employment.
“Horticulture has a growing profile in our export earnings, reaching $6.7b for the year ending June 2022. This investment will both help extend this trend and increase Northland’s bounty for its rural communities,” O’Connor said.
News Join the campaign against cancer
ACROSS Aotearoa New Zealand this year, 4000 men will be told they have prostate cancer, making it this country’s most diagnosed cancer.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand (PCFNZ) is committed to being the voice of more than 42,000 men living with the disease in NZ, advocating on their behalf for better health outcomes today and for future generations.
This year, Blue September hopes to raise more than $1 million in much needed funds, every cent of which goes toward providing essential wraparound support services for men and their families living with prostate cancer.
“Every year we are blown away by the support we receive from across New Zealand during Blue September,” said Peter Dickens, CEO of PCFNZ. “Without the passion and commitment shown to us by our Blue September community, we would not be able to provide the services that patients and those close to them rely on every day across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Funds raised are used for vital research into the disease and its impact, to create awareness through our education and outreach programmes, and to advocate for better access to diagnosis and treatments that are so desperately needed.
“Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in New Zealand but if it’s caught early, it is also treatable. It’s extremely frustrating and should be an issue of national concern that, despite all evidence pointing to early detection and appropriate treatment making the difference between life and death, methods of detecting the disease, treatments and medicines for prostate cancer patients that are considered standard and funded in other countries are severely limited here, or even nonexistent outside of the main centres.
Inequities are also painfully evident, as the figures clearly show that tāne Māori diagnosed with prostate cancer experience a disproportionately higher death rate than other New Zealand men. It’s unnecessary and we should all find it unacceptable.”
“The 42,000 men currently living with prostate cancer in New Zealand are not just a statistic, they are all dads, sons, grandads and best mates who do not deserve to have the opportunity to share in the lives of their families and those around them taken away far too soon, when an achievable alternative exists.
“The social impact of this disease is immeasurable and we’re in danger of losing a generation of men to prostate cancer without a co-ordinated national approach. We’re indebted to the people that take part in a Blue Do on our behalf – thank you, no idea is too small, too wacky, or too blue.”
BLUE DO: Funds raised are vital for research into the disease, Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand CEO Peter Dickens says.
Agrievents
It’s all about YOU
Calling all primary sector women!
Is 2022 your time to uncover your true value, purpose and identity?
Run by our friends at @AgriWomensDevelopmentTrust,
‘It’s all about YOU’ is a popular two-day personal development programme that re-prioritises you.
Registrations are now open! Find your nearest programme at: https://www.awdt.org.nz/programmes/its-all-aboutyou/
You’re not your farm, your job or your kids. You, are you.
In your search for confi dence and self-worth - your values, strengths, goals and experiences will show you the way.
It’s all about YOU is a two-day personal development programme that uncovers your true value and identity.
Guiding your group are professional facilitators who will both cultivate a culture of trust, and support you one-on-one.
It’s all about YOU runs on a two-tier fee model. If you are from a farm, from a rural community, or running a small business, you are eligible for a subsidy. Thanks to generous support from AWDT and DairyNZ the fee is $420 + GST.
Where women are sponsored by their primary sector business or organisation, the full programme fee of $1,000 + GST applies.
Wednesday 30/11/2022 – Saturday 3/12/2022
NZ National Agricultural Fieldays 2022
Visit the traditional Fieldays favourites, like Tractor
Pull competitions and the Fencing Championships.
Or experience something a little different at the Ag
Art Wear show, the innovation Centre, or the Festival of Logging. Witness extreme air displays, cuisine demonstrations, machinery exhibitions, stock handling and many more in one of the demonstrations areas.
If you’d like to learn something new, join one of the many seminars, and enhance your presence in the rural sector.
Venue: Mystery Creek Events Centre 125 Mystery Creek Rd, Ohaupo, Hamilton
For more info: www.fi eldays.co.nz/welcome Should your event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@globalhq.co.nz LK0109662© Mataura River flood banks under renewed scrutiny ENGINEERS have concerns about the capacity of flood banks in Southland’s Mataura River catchment.
Environment Southland’s manager of integrated catchment management, Paul Hulse, said flood protection assessments being done as part of climate resilience works have identified the need for detailed geotechnical investigations and 2D hydraulic modelling to calculate the capacity and integrity of the stop banks.
Hulse said this means urban communities in Gore, Wyndham and Mataura may need to be evacuated at a lower river flood level than previously, until there is a better understanding of stop bank capacity.
“We know that most of our stop banks are at least 30 years old and they have some design limitations that may reduce their ability to hold large volumes of water or sustained volumes of water, putting the community at increased risk of flooding,” Hulse said. The stop banks were designed to address previous flooding issues but could be tested by the effects of increased flood events and high river flows associated with climate change. The February 2020 floods on the Mataura River also highlighted the issue, and while some remedial work
Peter Dickens Prostate Cancer Foundation of NZ
MORE:
Support the one in eight Kiwi men and their families affected by Prostate Cancer – Do Something Blue this September. Visit www. blueseptember.org.nz was carried out, more is needed. “We now know that the frequency of flooding events is likely to increase and we will be working closely with Emergency Management Southland to take a precautionary approach to keeping our communities safe,” he said. Flood events in the catchment can be predicted up to 12 hours ahead of time. “We also know from experience that we can quickly and effectively NEW INFO: The people of Gore and other Southland towns may need to evacuate these communities, be evacuated at lower river flood levels than previously thought. having done it most recently in 2020 within a couple of hours.” Geotechnical data and hydraulic modelling is being compiled to help establish the best options to protect these areas in the future, while a work plan is underway for the Gore stop banks.
Volume 119 I August 22nd, 2022 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz/agined
Are you a parent or teacher and want to receive AginED every week directly to your email inbox? Send us an email to sign up at agined@globalhq.co.nz
digging deep
Head to: https://www.
farmersweekly.co.nz/i-think-
ill-go-count-worms/ to read about using worms to measure soil health on farm. Then answer the following questions:
1 How many types of worms are found in most soils? How many types of worms are found in most soils? 2 Can you name each type?
STRETCH YOURSELF:
1 Outline characteristics of each type of worm and what they do. 2 Worms are hermaphrodites, what does this mean? 3 Name the most useful soil forming species of worm and their characteristics 4 Outline the process for getting a good sample of worms on your property 5 Why do you need to take samples from various spots on farm rather than just one place? 6 When is the best time to take samples? 7 How many worms per m2 are expected under high quality arable soil? And under pasture? To find out more on this topic head to
http://www.earthworms.nz/ and to learn more on this topic follow this link https://www.sciencelearn.org. nz/image_maps/71-common-newzealand-earthworms
North Island prime slaughter price ($/kg)
1 What was the prime slaughter price in May 2021? What What was the prime slaughter price in May 2021? What was the price in the same month in 2022? 2 How did these compare to the five-year average?
STRETCH YOURSELF:
1 In what year and month were slaughter prices at their highest? Why do you think that they peak at this point? 2 Looking at the trajectory of last year's trading, what would you expect prices to do between now and
November? 3 Prime cattle have been harder to get into the processors due to space issues this year. What created this? 3a How does not being able to get their finished cattle away at their usual time affect farmers? 3b Do you think that this would then have a flow on effect for trading of younger cattle? If so, what is it?
Approximately 30% of the world's population is iron deficient.
What does iron do for us?
DO SOME RESEARCH:
It is World Iron Awareness week (22-28 August)
IT’S THREE MAIN ROLES ARE:
1 2 3
TO CARRY OXYGEN AROUND THE BODY - every cell in the body needs oxygen. There is iron in the haemoglobin of red blood cells and it carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of the body. TO ENSURE A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM - the cells that fight infection depend on adequate stores of iron. This means if your iron stores are low, your body is more prone to infections. FOR ENERGY - iron is essential for the body’s chemical reactions that produce energy from food. Therefore, if your iron levels are low, your body may not be able to use all the energy available. 1 What are common symptoms of iron deficiency? What are common symptoms of iron deficiency? 2 What is the recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron for girls (age 14-19)? 3 What is the RDI of iron for boys (age 14-19)? 4 Why do you think these are different? (Who needs more iron and why?)
Iron is found in both haem iron food and nonhaem iron foods.
1 What is haem? How does it help to increase iron absorption in our bodies? 2 Can you name five haem iron foods 3 Can you name five non-haem iron foods?
fill ya boots Recently the government has introduced (or are in the process of introducing) a number of new policies that impact farmers and their livelihoods. One of these is the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB). Follow this link to read about what this is and potential impacts for farmers. https://
www.farmersweekly.co.nz/broadsna-biodiversity-criteriaprompts-concern/?fbclid=I wAR3oetTO_9DyiGdJpI24S aHgI1VEjwOHMYjFfO1JmUVJk 3XFuxwj3Wjtam8
1 What are SNA’s? 2 When was the draft of NPSIB released?
STRETCH YOURSELF:
1 Why is there concern that all areas of indigenous biodiversity on farms could potentially be classified as SNA? 2 What could be the effects of this policy if it did include all areas of indigenous biodiversity on farm? 3 Who was involved in the working group that created the
NPSIB draft? 4 What are some other policies currently under scrutiny? 5 Do some research. What do you think should be the requirements for an area being classed as SNA?
https://makingmeatbetter.nz/
Test your knowlege
Head to https://www.ironweek.co.nz/quizzes at beef+lamb NZ to test your iron knowledge and also to see if you may be lacking in iron
